1) London, England

Welcome to one of the world’s best shopping cities. London has it all: from famous department stores such as Selfridges, Harrods and Fortnum & Mason to high street chain stores and specialty boutiques. Enjoyable features of London’s big stores are the in-store tea rooms, bars and gourmet restaurants – just great for stopping to catch your breath! Most of the big stores are grouped around Covent Garden, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. For real value, time your visit to coincide with London’s annual sales. And don’t miss the more than 300 markets, perfect for snapping up rare and unusual shopping items. Explore London Shopping....

2) Paris, France

Worshipped as the Holy Grail of high fashion by designers and fashionistas the world over, Paris is crowded with fabulous stores to shop. For the ultimate haute couture trip, lèche-vitrines (window-shop) the Triangle d'Or stores such as Dior, Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Lancome, Givenchy, Cartier and Yves Saint Laurent. If you do plan to pop inside (even just to look), remember to dress the part – the sales staff will be much more attentive if you look as though you belong there. For jewellery, head toward Place Vendome; for specialty boutiques browse St-Germain-des-Prés and Les Halles for trendy clothes; for exotic handicrafts imported from Africa, head to the Marais, on Rue Elzévir. Don’t miss the prestigious grands magasins (department stores) including Galerie Lafayette and Au Printemps. Experience Paris Shopping....